Flash light



y injury bers, threads, etc. .v

Vist

reissued Naan, 1193i UNITED STATES 4[PATENT- .oppl'cgf annum) n. Banny, or unison. wisconsin, Assi-anca 'ro anni: .1,

l Yoax, N. Y., im Einsam, .ronirnr FLASH LIGHT application mea man e, isso.- semi in. uam.

My invention relates to portable electric lamps, commonly called flashlights.

A principal object is to produce vvan exceptionally strong, durable and economical ap- A 5 plianceof this class, for general utility and industrial purposes, and especially one which has a strong and durableshell or casing, as distinguished from the relatively thin brass or other sheet metal shells generally em- 10 ployed, which are subject to crushing or denting which interferes with proper operation,'

replacement of dry cel1s, etc. A 'fu her important object is to provide ltwo independent lamps in the oneappliance, 15 both for the purpose of throwing the light beam in two' different directions in relation to the casing and to provide a second lam available for instant use if either o'f them is burned out or becomes inoperative for other zo'reasons, with simplified and improved switch mechanism and a single simple o rating deviceto eiect illumination of eithgr lamp or to break both lamp circuits as desired. Another object is to eliminate a switch 25 slide or button orfan'alogous devices com# l monly employed to control the lamp circuit, and which are subject to derangement by rough treatment, or t'o improper operation, such as closing theswitch when the flash light is laced in the pocket or other receptacle, whereupon the switch may be closed by accidental contact with other objects resulting in burning out the'batterywhen the appliance is not in useful service. A A further object -is to prevent short circuiting byan improved arrangement of the',

battery case and fixed contact. Y

Another object is to eliminate' threads for connection of parts of thev case.

thin brass vcase-tubes are an important item in manufacturing cost,I duev to the hi h per- I Acentage ofA rejects, and are'also subject to by deformation of the case mem- To realize these and other objects the invention structure comprises, 'as briefly, de scribed, a shell. or case in two main'parts, connected by a'b'ayonet joint, without screw These threads as commonly employed inthreads, these Imits preferably made of steel tubing of substantially-heavy nge, thus eliminating the disadvantages o thin brass shells or case members, with rolled threa as commonly produced. The two lamps with .suitable reflectors and lenses are arranged in an upper art of the case, one lamp and lens being rected laterally and the other axially at the end of the case. At least one'of the lamps is su ported in a revoluble ring surroundin an retaining its reflector and lens, and t `is ring is easily ed and turned to any of threespositions or the illumination of either lamp or extinguishingv both lamps. Simple and improved switch mechanism is provided, operated by rotation of the ring or finger piece.

The characteristicsAll and `advanta s of the inventionfare further .suicient y Aei;- plained in connection with the followin detail description of the accompanying rawto v ings, wliic show one representative embodiment. v After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed and I contemplate tlie employment of any structures that are properly within the scope Aof the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a side rspective view of a flash li ht embodying t e invention in one form'.

ig. 2 is a lon tudinal section.

Fig, 3 is a section at 3 3, Fig. 2, showing the switches in olf osition.

Fi 4 is a s ai'4 section showing the switc mechanism positioned for illumina-l tion of the top or end lamp.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing switch `end of the uppertube and these members am connected -by a bayonet. joint including a 19 longitudinal slot 3 in the tube member 2, hav-l ing right angled extension 4, and a pin -5 set in tube 1 and engaging with the slot. In this way all screw threads and problems connectedwith them are eliminated and the case members may be connected and disconnected instantly by slight rotaryI and longitudinal movements without the annoyance and delay due to protracted rotation, as in the case of screw connection. The lower tube 2 is the battery case and may have an inner tube 6 constituting a reenforcement. The battery cells 7 of any suitable number, with the usual paper insulation, are placed in the inner tube 6 and are urged upward by a spring,8 at the bottom of tube 2 so Ythat when the main case members are connected the circuit to the switch mechanism is completed by engage ment of the upper center or carbon contact of the upper cell with a fixed contact 9 in the upper case member 1. A hole 10 may be provided in the end of the lower case tube, for insertion of a rod or other implement for ejection of the cells. By the described battery case and lixed contact arrangements, short circuiting is practically impossible.

The lixed contact 9 of the upper case section is in the general form of a bolt secured by nuts 12 in the center of an insulating disc 13 inserted in the lower end of tube 1 and secured by a ring or washer 14, which is in turn held against the lower end of tube 1 by a shoulder 15 and an outer sleeve 16 shrunk, pressed or otherwise secured on the lower end of tube 1 and forming practically an integral extension thereof and also constituting the portion of tube 1 into which the lower tube 2 telescopes in the act of connecting the main case sections.

Preferably, as clearly depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide two incandescent bulbs, each with a suitable reilector serving also as the bulb mounting, and lens, substantially as usual, except that vone lamp with associated parts is mounted in the end of the upper case section to project the light beam axially in relation to the casing, and the other is mounted in the side of the upper casing section to project light laterally. Thus, for the lateral, or side light, the rim of the reflector 20 and margin of the lens 21 are secured by a split ring or spring wire 22 against the shoulder 23 in a short tubular extension 24 pressed or otherwise formed at one side of the upper case section 1, and rellector 25, and lens 26 are similarly secured within a ring formation ,27 formed as an. integral part of a sleeve 28, which telescopes and is revolubly mounted within the upper end of the casing tube 1. The ring 27 is externally lmurled as at 29, Fig. 1, to provide a satisfactory finger grip surface, since the ring 27 is the operating member for the switch mechanism controlling the lighting of the lamps. By the described arrangement the side lamp 30 has the end of its center contact 31 located substantially at the axis of the `casing and near the mid- Y point of the upper casing section 1, and the end lamp 32 has iits center contact 33 also located at the axis of the casing and some distance above the contact 31.

Sleeve 28 is secured against outward displacement and also permitted to rotate by an arcuate slot 35 in the sleeve and a pin 36 set in tube 1 and engaging in the slot, which also limits the rotative movement of the sleeve and ring 27 by engagement with the pin. Preferably also, I provide means for yieldably but practically positively retaining the ring in any of its three operative positions, such mears consistingl as here shown of a piece of spring Wire 40, Figs. 2 and 6,

\ one end of which is secured to the inner face of tube 1, as by soldering at 41, this spring being suitably bowed as at 42 and having its end 43 bent to form a rounded detent coopcrating with three notches 44, 45 and 46 adcently located in the inward edge of sleeve The .switch mechanism is carried by a piece of suitable insulating material, such as fibre, molded synthetic resin, etc. This insulatinr support comprises an arcuate or part cylinldrical portion 47 secured to sleeve 28 as by rivets 48, and a downward extension 49. At an upper position at one side of the extension 49 it has a slot 50 to receive a switch lever 51, and at a lower position at the other side it has a similar slot to receive a similar switch lever 52, these levers being pivotally retained in the slots by pins 53. Each switch lever has at its outer end spaced lugs 55 cooperating with a pin 56 set in tube 1.- Each switch lever is normally held in olf position by a spring, such as the strip spring l57, one end of each spring being secured to the support 49 and the other end bearing against the edge of the corresponding lever. The upper lever, 51, carries on its inward end a spring contact 60 which may be a strip of spring metal with the Contact proper curved or bent in the form shown in Fig. 2, to make a wipe contact with the center contact 33 of the end lamp. The lower switch lever has on its inward end a contact 61 also of spring metal, designed to have flat face engagement, (this engagement being yielding on account of the resiliency of the contact 61) with the end of the center contact 31 of the side lamp.

Connections are made from the movable 'contacts to the fixed contact 9 by flexible sleeves 62, soldered to the movable contacts and also soldered to a lug 63 secured between nuts 12.

The case is desirably provided with a clip of stout spring metal, connected to the upper face portion 1 as by rivets 71, this clip serving to detachably support the flash light on the belt of the user for example, with the side lamp 30 directed forward.

Y contact 61 into engagement with the center nal index marks, such as 80, on the upper case' assai-1a In operation, to extinguish both lamps or to light elther one of them, the finger piece or ring 27 is rotated to the right or left. In center position the switchv levers are in the position of Fig. 3, both of the movable contacts being away from the center contacts of the lamp. To light the top or end lamp the ring is turned counter-clockwise as ind1- cated by the arrow, Fig. 4, pin 56 for the uper swltch lever 51 then acts on one'of the ever lugs to rotate the lever in relation to its support and bring. the contact 60 into wi ing engagement with the center contact 33 o the upper lamp, while the lower' contact, carried by lever 52, is maintained in retracted position. To light the side lamp the nger ring 1s turned in the opposite direction, Fig. 5, thus retracting the up the appropriate lug of that lever to rotate the latter in relation to its support and bring contact 31'of the side lamp. l As above explained, t e contact ring is .yieldably but firmly held in any position in which it is placed by the yieldable detent 43, thus preventing accidental lighting of either lam or inadvertent movement of the mec anism-to oifposition. 4 v

It is sometimes desirable to provide eXter-.

wall, adjacent ring 27, in positions corresponding to the diierent rotative positions of the ring, with another index mark 81von the ringso that the user'can immediately note the position 'of the ring, to determine whether either lamp is operating, correspending to the ring position, etc. I claim': 1 `.1. A flash light including al tubular case having an upper compartment, a lamp mounted at the end of the' upper compartment, a lamp mounted in the side of .the upper compartment, and switch mechanism in said compartmentnincluding movable con? tactsto cooperate with center contacts of the respective lamps, and switch operating mechanism comprising a' manipulable ring re=v` olubly mounted substantially at the end 1 ofthe u per compartment. v i

2. A ash li ht including a tubular case having an upper compartment, a lamp mounted at the end -of the upper compartment, a lamp mounted in the slde of the upranged as avrSllPPOrt furthe end lamp with" per compartment, switch mechanism. in said compartment including vmovable contacts to cooperate' with center contacts of the respec-` tive lamps, and switch operating.' mechanism comprising a mani ulable ring revolubly mounted substantial y at the end-'of the upper compartment, said ringfbeing also 'ar` its reflector and lens. Y

3. A flash light including a' tubular case having an Aupper compartment, a lamp compartment, and yieldable ldetent means to rcontactand pin 56 corresponding-to the ower lever 52 acts on switch I port, lugs on t mounted at lthe end of the upper compartment, a lamp mounted .in the side of the upper compartment, switchmechanism in said compartment including movable contacts to c ooperate with center contacts of the respective lamps, switch operating mechanism comprisin a mani ulable ring revolubly mounted su stantial y at the end of the upper" Y retainthe ring in dliferent rotative positions. 4. A flash light com rising an upper case section, a sleeve revolubly mounted thereon, an operating rin on the sleeve, a reflector and lens removab y retained withinthe ring, and a lamp mounted in the reflector, an insulating switch support lcarried by the sleeve, a switch lever ivotally mounted on the sup port, lugs on the lever and a pin in the'case cooperating with the lugs, and a yieldable contacten the leverto cooperate with the center contact of the lamp. 4

5. A flash light com rising an upper case,

v section, a sleeve revolu ly mounted thereon,

an operating rin on the sleeve, avrelector and lens removab y retainedwithin theA ring, anda lamp mounted in the reflector, an in-v sulating switch support carried by the sleeve, a switch lever ivotally mounted on the supiie lever and a pin in the case v cooperating with the lugs, a yieldable contact on the lever to cooperate with the c'en-I y ter contact of the lamp, and a-spring actui'g between the switch su porti and the lever to hold the latter norma ly inloi position.

6. A fiash light comprising an upper case section, a sleeve revolubly mounted thereon, an operatingring on'the sleeve, a reflector and lens removably retained within the ring, and a lampmounted in the reflector, an 1nsulating switch support carried by the sleeve, a switch lever ivotally mounted on the support, lugs on t e lever and a pin in the ycase cooperating with the lugs, a yieldable contact on the .lever to cooperate with the center cont-actief the lamp, a iixed contact support y11.110 i section, a sleeve revolub y mounted in the end 111i thereof, an operating ring on the sleeve and accessible at the end of thecase section, a re- Hector and lens-removably retained within the ring and a lamp mounted in the reflector, sald v*case section also having at one sidea tubular extension, a reflector' and lens removably f mounted therein, and a'lanip removably sup- 4ported'by the reflector, an msulatingswitch support carried by the sleeve, switch levers pivotally'mounted .onthe support, lugs onv 125 the levers and pins inthe case cooperating with the,lugs, and yieldable contacts on the i levers to cooperate with the center contacts ofthe respective lamps. v

s. A cash light comprising mi 'upper me -m section, a sleeve revolubly mounted in the end thereof, an' operating ring on the sleeve and accessible at the end of the case section,

a reflector and lens removably retained within the ring and a lamp mounted in the reflector, said case section also having at one side a tubular extension, a reflector and lens removably mounted therein, and a lamp removably supported by the reflector, an insulating switch support carried by the sleeve, switchv levers pivotally mounted on the support, lugs on the levers and pins in the case cooperating with the lugs, and yieldable contacts on the levers to cooperate with the center contacts of the respective lamps, and springs acting between the switch support and the levers to hold the latter normally in off position.

9. A flash light comprising an upper case section, a sleeve revolubly mounted in the end thereof, an operating ring on the sleeve and accessible at the end of the case section,

a reflector and lens removably retained within the ring and a lamp mounted in the reflector, said case section also having at one side a tubular extension, a reflector and lens removably mounted therein, and a lamp removably supported by the reflector, an insulating switch support carried by the sleeve, switch.

levers pivotally mounted on the support, lugs on the levers and pins in the case cooperating with the lugs, and yieldable contacts on the levers to cooperate with the center contacts of the respective lamps, the arrangement of' the lamp supports being such that their center' contacts are substantially at the longitudinal axis of the case.

1Q. A ila-sh light comprising an upper case section, a sleeve revolubly mounted in the end thereof, 'an operating ring on the sleeve and accessible at the end of the case section, a reflector and lens removably retained within the ring and a lamp mounted in the reflector, said case section also having at one side a tubular extension, a reflector and lens removably mounted therein, and a lamp removably supported by the reflector, au insulating switch support carried by the sleeve, switch levers pivotally mounted on the support, lugs on the levers and pins in the case cooperating with the lugs, and yieldable contacts on the levers to cooperate with the center contacts of the respective lamps,'and springs acting between the switch support and the levers to hold the latter normally in oil' position, the arrangement ofthe lamp supports being such that their center contacts arev substantiall7 at the longitudinal axis of the case.

In testimony whereof I affix my si nature.

EDMUN D R. BAR NY. 

